Redentore, magic ultracentenari

Redentore is very important for Venetians and culminates in a firework display which, on Saturday night, leaves an unforgettable memory in those who can watch it. In the incomparable frame of the Basin of San Marco, colours, lights, reflections in the water and magical shadows create incredible visions on the fronts of the beautiful buildings and monuments, for an enchanting night that culminates with dawn. This year the celebration, which have since centuries kept alive the meaning of the festival, begin on the 20th of June. According to the rite, around sunset the boats that are lighted up and decorated arrive in the Basin of San Marco and navigate along the Canale della Giudecca to gain their ‘first place in the queue’. At this point, the party begins, starting with a rich dinner of typical dishes that fills the waiting time before the “foghi” (fireworks, in dialect). The historical origins of this celebration can be dated back to July 1577, when the black death was rid of in the city, which had lasted two years. As requested by the doge Alvise Mocenigo, at the end of the pest which created many victims, a votive church was built dedicated to the Santissimo Redentore. Designed by Palladio in the same year, and finished after his death in 1592 by Antonio da Ponte on the island of Giudecca, the sacred building represents a votive act that counts priceless artworks by Domenico Tintoretto and Paolo Veronese. To celebrate the city’s escape from the black death, every year in July, a votive bridge is created with boats, along the Giudecca canal, that links the island with the Zattere, meaning that Venetians and visitors can reach the Church on foot.  The opening of the bridge and the solemn procession begins with the benediction of the Venetian patriarch and the religious celebrations continue until Sunday 21^st July.
A tradition that has been adored from more than 400 years, crowded by tourists and inhabitants that, as well as celebrating on boats and on the islands, go to grand balls and parties organised in the different palaces.
Closing the event, on Sunday afternoon, the Giudecca Canal is full of typical boats. The rowing champions race each other on “pupparini” with two rows, boats which were used in the past as private boats for the richest families, whilst the final regatta sees men racing on two row gondolas. A fun curiosity about the Redentore night dates back to the beginning of the 1900s when a young Rodolfo Valentino, together with his friends, stole a small boat moored on the Riva degli Schiavoni. For the excessive speed the boat crashed into a gondola and almost drowned a tourist, who was saved by the famous womaniser. To thank him, the woman, a widower known as Lady B, invited him to her hotel at the Excelsior. It is said that the young student stayed with the Lady for the rest of her holiday.